Anyone can learn a basic technique in a few minutes, but do you really know it? Any technique can be broken down into basically 3 distinct pieces: 1.
The Setup 2.
The Technique 3.
The End Game In the context of a submission this means securing the setup, locking in the submission, and being able to maintain control and pressure so that you can force a tap.
Now each of those steps has a number of things that can happen to throw you off your path to completing the submission.
There are ways your opponent can block what you are doing, their are attacks that the opponent can be performing, and their are ways your opponent can reverse or escape based on what you are doing.
For each of the 3 stages you need to ask yourself some questions: - Given what I am trying to do, what attacks are most available to my opponent? - How can I shut them down? - What ways can my opponent block my attack? - How can I work around it? - What can my opponent do to reverse / counter / escape what I am attempting? - How can I prevent or counter those? Each of those questions is likely to have at least 2-3 answers each, for each of the 3 stages of the technique.
Which means to know a technique, you are looking at a lot of separate pieces of information.
But when you can answer them all (and act on them all) your technique will be something to worry about for your opponent.
If you know 20 different attacks from guard, but can't answer most of those questions for any of them, chances are you aren't going to tap many people out with them.
But if you only know one attack, and can answer all of those and act on them you will see much more success.
So here is a exercise: Pick your favorite techniques, from each of the major positions and consider the above questions.
Then, while rolling, work out the following for that technique: Position: ________________________ Technique: ________________________ Setup What are the most common blocks / counters / escapes or other problems I currently encounter when doing this technique: 1.
_________________________________ - What do I need to correct to prevent this: 2.
_________________________________ - What do I need to correct to prevent this: Execution What are the most common blocks / counters / escapes or other problems I currently encounter when doing this technique: 1.
_________________________________ - What do I need to correct to prevent this: 2.
_________________________________ - What do I need to correct to prevent this: End Game What are the most common blocks / counters / escapes or other problems I currently encounter when doing this technique: 1.
_________________________________ - What do I need to correct to prevent this: 2.
_________________________________ - What do I need to correct to prevent this: For some there might be one, for others two, don't try to go more then that yet though, just pick the one or two problems that occur for you the most.
Now you have a list of things to fix, and instructions on how to fix them, it might take some time to work out all the details on the sheet and don't be afraid to ask for help with pieces if you aren't sure what to do or what's going wrong.
Once you feel you have corrected enough things that the list is no longer accurate, start fresh.
Look at what the current problems are, write out how to fix them and repeat.
Your favorite techniques may change, your setups may change.
But any technique that is part of your main arsenal, as well as you back up arsenal, should be subject to this process.
Do it mentally, write it out, whatever works for you, but these are the questions you should be asking about your technique to take them to the next level.